New Hampshire Senior News Notes

Above, members of the Big Bang Opera Company perform during the Bedford Seniors' show. Standing from left are Connie Gagnon, Joyce Kasiaras, Nancy Berry and Nancy Leblanc. Seated are members of the Big Bang Orchestra, from left, Doris Caikauskas, Fran Pichette and Dottie Loughlin.

OLLI at Granite State College plans online auction fundraiser MANCHESTER — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Granite State College, known as OLLI, is planning its first statewide online auction fundraiser from Monday, Oct. 28, through Sunday, Nov. 10, at www.biddingforgood.com/OLLIGSC.

OLLI members have gathered an array of items and experiences from community supporters, including gift certificates from retailers, restaurants and spa services, weekend getaways, sports tickets including the Patriots, antiques and even coffee with Gov. Maggie Hassan.OLLI at Granite State College is a member-led educational program offering classes in Manchester, Concord, Conway and on the Seacoast for people 50 and older. There aren't any prerequisites, tests or grades; the focus is on "learning for the fun of it."

The auction's purpose is to support OLLI's scholarships and the program's sustainability and to expand its outreach opportunities.

BEDFORD — The Bedford Seniors says the show put on by the group's members and board, "Hollywood Rejects: Talented People Need Not Apply," was "an hour and a half of good rollicking fun" and such as hit with the audience that there's already plans for "Hollywood Rejects 2."At the group's next meeting at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, members can sign up for the annual Christmas luncheon, which is set for Tuesday, Dec. 3, at Manchester Country Club in Bedford.Each month, members bring donations for the Salvation Army to the meetings. November's request is for toilet paper.

The Bedford Seniors also offers trips that are open to all New Hampshire residents. A group will travel to Newport, R.I., on Wednesday, Dec. 4, to visit the Breakers and the Elms mansions, which will be decorated for Christmas. The cost is $89 and lunch is on your own. A trip to Foxwoods Resort and Casino in Connecticut to see Celtic Yuletide with Michale Londra is planned on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The cost is $89 and lunch is included. For more information or to sign up, call Charlotte, the trip organizer, at 668-1422.

Halloween festivities on Littleton center's agenda

LITTLETON — Littleton Area Senior Center, 77 Riverglen Lane, will host a Halloween party during lunch Thursday, Oct. 31. It will feature music, an "I Scream Social" and a costume party with prizes.

Seniors will be involved in the third annual Gathering of the Jack O' Lanterns on the Ammonoosuc River, which is part of the Littleton Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 26. Any seniors interested may bring in a carved pumpkin to the center by Friday, Oct. 25, so the center can enter it in the pumpkin-carving contest. Pumpkins will be lit at dusk, and the senior center will have a setup outside selling doughnuts, hot cider and hot chocolate.

Medicare Part D open enrollment started Oct. 15 and will continue through Dec. 15. The center recommends comparing drug plans at this time because all formularies, premiums and deductibles can change. Plan changes become effective Jan. 1. The center offers free help with enrollment. For an appointment call Phyllis at the center at 444-6050 or Mary Beth or Tammy at ServiceLink at 444-4498.

The center also is gearing up for its craft fair, which is set for 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 16. To reserve a table, see the center's director, Miriam Brown, as soon as possible.Seniors are welcome to join members of the Senior Bowling League for lunch at noon Thursday, Nov. 7, at the "reserved for bowlers" table. From there, the group will go to Fun Spot in Laconia. The league hopes to bowl every week (except snow days and holidays) until spring.Seniors may bowl one, two or three strings. For $11, bowlers can bowl three strings and get free bowling shoe rental. If the center's van drives the group, the transportation cost will be $5; otherwise the group will carpool. For more information, call Ron at 536-1204 or Norm at 744-6739.For more about the center, call 536-1204.

Nov. 2 is AARP Day at UNH hockey game

MANCHESTER — AARP has a deal for members who are hockey fans: a $10 ticket and pre-game reception for the University of New Hampshire Wildcats first game of the season on Saturday, Nov. 2.

The Wildcats will play the UMass Lowell River Hawks at 7 p.m. at the Whittemore Center Arena in Durham.

To reserve the $10 tickets (regularly $26), call the UNH ticket office at 862-4000 and use the code "UNHSENIORS."

An hour before face-off, seniors are invited to the arena's VIP Lounge for refreshments and a chance to meet AARP staff and volunteers.

LACONIA — Twenty residents of Belknap County Nursing Home recently enjoyed an outing on the MS Mount Washington, courtesy of Merrill Fay, owner of Fay's Boat Yard in Gilford.Fay, who is active in the community, learned of the residents' interest in a boat ride on Lake Winnipesaukee and agreed to sponsor the trip. His donation covered the cost for 20 residents and six staff members to take a two-hour cruise. The nursing home says the fall weather the day of the trip couldn't have been better.Members of the Activities Department at the 94-bed nursing home says they schedule as many outings as possible. Past outings have included picnics, ball games and shopping as well as trips to the ocean, the Currier Museum of Art in Manchester and the Science Center in Holderness to name a few.